Little Falls transcript., 1887-05-20
And she added, il explanatory fash

And she added, Inc nexplanatory fash
ion: s3s
.'Hilda rides out every day Two
hours with, ahem! "a gentleman
friendl' s5j 55
Rides out, does she9' said Mr.,
Webb. II guess likely t5costs consid-
able to keep horses in New York. I'm
glad you and Hilda's got 50 much
money to spare. 2 i. .55s !.
''I'm told, said Mrs. Murray, COM
placently, s.that Hilda's horse is one
OF the handsomest in the park. And
of course a young girl like. her ought
to get plenty OF exercise and fresh
air." .* (. 4
Once more Martin Webb's keen
glance circled around the room and
settled on Hilda.s deeply suffused face.
She went out. with word OF hur-
ried apology. NJ.
| Hump" was his comment. e.
Eyes, nodded Mrs. Murray, with the
futtered, fattered expression of a
motherly old hen who has just found
an extra fine kernel Of corn for her
brood. f"My Hilda has got into some
remarkably good society. And en-
tertain hopes that she may marry
we'll before a great while" H.. !,
Mr.. Webb took his leave--rather
abruptly, as Mrs. Murray thought
and the old lady, after carefully put
ting away the generous gifts from the
| old farm, sat down to mend lace and
| to dream again. ..-......, a..
Reed Webb listened silently to his
| fathers account OF their relatives.
"Going out riding every day with q
grand New York gentlemanw said he.
"Dressed like a princess! Father. that
does not sound like our little Hilda. "
Cant help how it sounds,' said
Martin. ''It's so. That 8 all know"
"Then," said Reed, sadly, ''it's no
use my building that wing on the
south side Of the old house? It won't
be needed now" q. '''''
Not if you expect Hilda Murray to
live in it." " %-3:= l.
"Hush!' said Mrs. Webb, who was
washing up the supper dishes with
true housewifely deftness and speed,
making each teaspoon shine like silver,
each plate gllsten like ivory, in the
friction OF her homespun linen towel.
"There's some one at the door. Go
quick, husband!'' ..1
"Why," cried Martin, standing on
the threshold, "it's Hilda-it's Hilda
Murray!''
"But can't stay a minute" said
Hilda breathlessly. GIVE got to re.
turn by the seven-thipty train!"
"Hilda," said Reed gravely, s'you
must come in. 1t is not right nor
seemly that you should be out alone
at this time OF night"
II wanted Cousin Webb to know
faltered Hilda. Il couldn't bear that
he should think so ill of me as to
fancy that l was indulging in expen-
sive pleasure, while--while my mother
was SO poor. Her sight is failing, you
| know; she is almost blind. She fam
cies that she is earning something by
mending lace, but she only spolls it.
We should starve if-if it wasn't for
| the money earn by giving riding les
sons in Mr.. Dulany's equestrian
school. Mother doesn't know. She
would break her heart if any one told
| her that went daily to the ring and
trained little girls and young ladies in
horse sewOman-ship. She never can for
! get, You know, that my poor father
was g. college graduate, and once went
to the legislature. So we let her believe
Mr.. Dulany and I-that lam taking
lessons, instead OF giving them. She
saw us once in the park with the class
OF young ladies, and she was SO proud
poor little mother! And Mr.. Dula ny
says | am the best teacher he ever
had; and-oh"-with a piteous clasp
ing OF the hands-''is it very wrong?
Is it? ! almost fancied so, when
saw Cousin Webb looking at me this
morning-acting g. lie!"
II dunno about that, said Mr..
Webb, fumbling around for his pock-
ct handkerchief; "but I know you're
the incest and best gal ever saw!"
"Hilda," said Mrs. Webb, pleading
| ~ cannot you come back here to
VOLTS Corners? know your ma was
beset to get to New York. She thought
poor dear, that fortunes was to be
made there hand over hand. But
surely, now"
! Hilda shook her head sorrowfully
"We are too poor,'' she said; eve
cannot afford the expense of moving
again. And there is no house to be
! had here now.''
| Mrs. Webb put her hand on her
husbands shoulder. s"f @s :s'
"Martin," said she hurredly, iii
HiIdo really wants to get back by
the seven-thirty train, you must hitch
| up the horse and take her to the
station. And I'll 60 out to the barn
witt! you and hold the lantern"
Once out in the barn, Martin Webb
loked at his wife. H. 49,
"Eliza,' said he, do vor think our
Reed has any chanee?"
If he hasn't got chance now, he
| never will have one" said Mrs. Webb.
"Itell you what, Martin, that girl is a
pearl OF great price, and always said
So" *. III
No sooner was Reed Webb left alone
with Hilda than he spoke out what
was in his heart,
| "Hilda,'' he said resolutely, "you
must come back. You can't live there
in the great wilderness OF bricks and
mortar, and Ican't live here without
you. The farm is paying for itselfnow.
lean give my wife q acomfort able home;
and my wife's mother also. u Dear lit.
tie Hilda, say that you will be mine. "
Hilda burst out into sudden gust
of tears and sobs. $E
"Oh, Reed" she cried, .'if you knew
how often have dreamed of coming
back here--if you knew how homesick
I have been y '>~s-<&l,&S &S ~
"Say heartsick, Hilda, !" he prompt
ed, "it you want to make me happyl"
And smilinu fhrnlanh her tna rsi ahn